The reaction of the strong Lewis acid (C2F5)(3)PF2 with triethylamine leads to an initial hydride abstraction, resulting in the formation of the hydridophosphate anion [P(C2F5)(3)F2H](-) and the iminium ion [CH3CH = NEt2](+). The latter is deprotonated by a second molecule NEt3 which corresponds to a formal hydrogen abstraction from the amine. The resulting nucleophilic enamine is trapped by a second equivalent of (C2F5)(3)PF2, ultimately yielding the beta-aminovinylphosphorane derivative (C2F5)(2)PF2C2H2NEt2. The beta-aminovinylphosphorane reacts with CsF to the corresponding trifluorophosphate derivative, [P(C2F5)(2)F3C2H2NEt2](-), which hydrolyzes to the aldehyde [P(C2F5)(2)F3CH2CHO](-), while the reaction with anhydrous HF yields the zwitterionic species [P(C2F5)(2)F3C2H3NEt2].